Experience

Education

Montclair State University, New Jersey — Bachelor's degree, Modern Languages: Spanish and French (current)

Biography

Edel and her husband, Charlie Armstrong, have lived in Santa Clarita for 29 years and love this valley. A life-long educator, for the last 16 years of her career, she was a counselor and a teacher at College of the Canyons (COC). Prior to COC, she worked for the Wm. S. Hart High School District as a counselor, first at Hart High and then at Valencia.

PASSION

Edel is passionate about teaching and learning and giving students access to support services and quality education. She believes in providing educational opportunities that combine academic learning with technical training to prepare students for successful careers. Having taught and counseled at the high school, community college and university level, she dedicated her professional life to helping students succeed and achieve their personal, career and educational goals. She earned a Master degree in Counseling an a Doctorate in Educational and Organizational Leadership. Her enthusiasm and energy is genuine and earns her admiration and respect.

EXPERIENCE

Edel has counseled and taught students at the high school, community college and university levels during her 40 year career as an educator. She believes in both high academic standards and high tech job training. In addition, she served as Academic Senate President at COC. She has worked alongside administrators to develop policies and procedures, to resolve funding challenges, and to improve quality and services. These diverse roles have gained her the valuable practical experience needed to be an outstanding member of the Board of Trustees.

LEADERSHIP

In celebrating her 15 years of service at COC, the college noted that Edel is truly an "inspirational leader, loved and admired." She served two terms as President of the faculty's Academic Senate. She also chaired the faculty Qualifications Committee and co-chaired the Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Budget. Additionally, she was a member of the College Policy Council and a member of the College's Planning Team. Through these experiences, Edel illustrated her collegiality and ability to collaborate with Board members, administrators, classified employees, full and part-time faculty and students alike. She is an independent thinker who reviews data, considers options, and the effect of decisions on students and community.

Who supports this candidate?

Organizations (3)

Santa Clarita Valley Young Democrats

Democratic Alliance for Action of Santa Clarita

College of the Canyons Faculty Association (COCFA)

Elected Officials (2)

Joan Whaling MacGregor, Santa Clarita Community College District Trustee

Political Beliefs

Political Philosophy

COMMITMENT

Edel believes in transparency and accountability for all public officials. As a Trustee, she will be committed to: * Making decisions based on budget priorities that always put students first* Maintaining high standards of excellence and ethics* Ensuring access to programs and services for all students including the abled and disabled * Practicing open communication and televising board meetings* Maintaining facilities for optimum learning* Using common sense and sound judgment on legal matters to avoid costly lawsuits* Exercising transparency on fiscal matters so taxpayers can hold trustees accountable for their decision

Position Papers

ISSUES OF CONCERN

Summary

Here are Edel's solutions for the Board of Trustees regarding 8 issues of concern.

STUDENTS FIRST

The Board gains respect and cooperation when it advocates for decision making to be an inclusive collaborative process based on budget priorities that truly put students first.

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

The Board must exercise transparency when making budgetary decisions to demonstrate financial accountability and gain the public trust.

ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS

The Board must establish strict guidelines and standards to measure the effectiveness of organizational accomplishments, including the evaluation of the Board itself and of the Administration.

PARTNERSHIPS AND ADVOCACY

The Board must continue to promote partnerships with industry, other educational institutions, civic organizations and local and state government for the benefit of our students and our community.

SOUND JUDGMENT

The Board must use common sense and sound judgment on legal matters to avoid costly and unnecessary lawsuits.

STRATEGIC PLANNING

The Board must rely on data driven decisions to balance support for the development of new programs while ensuring attention to existing programs that need maintenance and improvement.

STUDENT ACCESS

The Board must exercise its responsibility to ensure that the District comply with the American Disabilities Act and make all instructional and non-instructional programs and facilities accessible to both able and disabled students.

TRANSPARENCY

Board of Trustees meetings must be televised for the sake of accountability and transparency. Residents of the District who are the taxpayers have a right to view the work of its elected public officials.